Product Engineer – Rapid Prototyping

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Engineer – Rapid Prototyping

Company: Vivian Health

Location: United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Engineering / GTM Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-11

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end product development for high-impact, AI-powered features within a leading healthcare jobs marketplace.

• Focus on rapid prototyping and shipping innovative 0→1 ideas to enhance user trust and experience for millions of clinicians.

• Collaborate with product, design, data, and go-to-market teams to bring new product surfaces from concept to production.

• Leverage modern AI/LLM tools and frameworks to accelerate development and unlock novel product capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Engineer," the responsibilities and requirements heavily lean into a hybrid Product Management and Engineering role with a strong emphasis on rapid experimentation and GTM impact. The "0→1" focus indicates a need for individuals comfortable with ambiguity and a proactive approach to problem-solving, often seen in early-stage GTM or product-led growth initiatives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Rapidly prototype and ship new product experiences from concept to production, demonstrating a strong bias for action.

• Design, build, and iterate on AI-powered features, such as intelligent profile builders and tools to detect and prevent misleading job data.

• Own product decisions and technical implementation, balancing user experience, business impact, and technical feasibility.

• Leverage modern AI/LLM tools and frameworks to accelerate development cycles and create innovative solutions.

• Engage directly with users (clinicians, recruiters) and internal subject-matter experts to identify critical product problems and opportunities.

• Develop a deep understanding of healthcare marketplace dynamics and the business impact of product initiatives.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including Product, Design, Data Science, and Go-to-Market (GTM) teams to ensure successful product launches and adoption.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of technical execution and strategic product thinking. The emphasis on "owning product decisions" alongside technical implementation suggests a need for individuals who can bridge the gap between engineering feasibility and market needs, a common requirement in GTM operations and product-led growth roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is explicitly required, a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, is typically expected for roles with this technical depth.

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in product engineering, full-stack engineering, or a hybrid PM/engineering capacity, with a demonstrated history of rapidly prototyping and shipping products end-to-end.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience as a product engineer, full-stack engineer, or in a hybrid PM/engineering role.

• Ability to build and ship products quickly, with a strong portfolio showcasing 0→1 or experimental product development.

• Comfort and curiosity in working with AI/LLM tools and applying them to real-world product challenges.

• A strong product mindset, with the ability to deeply consider user problems and take ownership beyond just technical implementation.

• Experience thriving in ambiguous, fast-moving environments where priorities may evolve.

• Solid technical foundation across both frontend and backend development technologies.

• Demonstrated interest in trust, safety, and building systems that enhance transparency and reliability for users. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with modern AI/LLM frameworks and libraries (e.g., LangChain, OpenAI API, Hugging Face).

• Familiarity with A/B testing methodologies and experimental design for product validation.

• Experience in the healthcare technology or recruitment marketplace sectors.

• Understanding of data analysis and metrics to measure product impact and user engagement.

• Skills in user research and translating qualitative feedback into actionable product requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "0→1" portfolio requirement is a critical differentiator, signaling a need for candidates who can demonstrate initiative, creativity, and the ability to bring novel concepts to market. This aligns with GTM roles that require launching new features or products.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing end-to-end product development, with a strong emphasis on projects that were built from concept (0→1).

• Demonstrations of rapid prototyping capabilities, highlighting the speed and efficiency with which new ideas were brought to tangible form.

• Case studies detailing the process of identifying user problems and translating them into functional product experiences, ideally with AI/LLM integration.

• Evidence of taking ownership beyond just technical implementation, including product decision-making and impact assessment.

• Examples of collaboration with cross-functional teams (product, design, GTM) to achieve product milestones. Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate the process followed for rapid prototyping, from ideation and user research to technical implementation and deployment.

• Document the integration of AI/LLM tools within your development workflow and the benefits derived.

• Showcase how you measured the impact and user adoption of experimental features.

• Provide examples of how you navigated ambiguity and evolving priorities during product development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a "Product Engineer – Rapid Prototyping" role, the portfolio is paramount. It's not just about listing projects but demonstrating a methodology for innovation, rapid iteration, and impact. This is particularly relevant for roles that interface with GTM strategies, where proving market fit and user engagement quickly is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $130,000 - $160,000 USD Yearly (plus equity)

Explanation of Range: This range is based on the provided job data and industry benchmarks for Product Engineers with 2-5 years of experience in the United States, particularly for roles involving AI/LLM and rapid prototyping in a remote setting. Factors like specific technical expertise, portfolio strength, and the competitive landscape for specialized engineering talent influence positioning within this range.

Benefits:

• Flexible Time Off

• Comprehensive Health Insurance Plans, including HSA and FSA Options

• 401K Retirement Savings Plan with Generous Employer Match

• Generous Parental Leave

• Work-from-home stipend

• Access to Corporate Discount Program

• Pet Insurance

• Equity

Working Hours: Standard full-time commitment, typically around 40 hours per week, with the understanding that flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines and collaborate across time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly provided. The benefits package is comprehensive and competitive, reflecting a company that values employee well-being and work-life balance, which is attractive for remote roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Technology / Recruitment Marketplace. Vivian Health is a significant player in transforming healthcare hiring, leveraging technology and AI to connect healthcare professionals with opportunities and streamline processes for employers and agencies.

Company Size: The company has received multiple "Best Places to Work" awards, indicating a strong, positive culture. Given the capital raised ($75 million) and backing from investors like Thoma Bravo, it's likely a growth-stage company, potentially in the range of 100-500 employees, fostering a dynamic and innovative environment.

Founded: Vivian Health has been recognized for its "Fully Remote Best Startup" and "Best Places to Work" awards for the past 5 years, suggesting a mature startup environment focused on remote work and employee experience.

Team Structure:

• The Product Engineer will operate at the intersection of Product, Engineering, and AI.

• This role involves close collaboration with dedicated Product Managers, Designers, Data Scientists, and Go-to-Market teams.

• The reporting structure likely places the engineer within an engineering or product development team, with direct reporting to an Engineering Manager or Head of Product. Methodology:

• Emphasis on rapid prototyping, experimentation, and a bias toward action to bring 0→1 ideas to life.

• Utilization of modern AI tools and frameworks for accelerated development and enhanced capabilities.

• A data-driven approach to understanding marketplace dynamics and measuring the business impact of product initiatives.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a core methodology to ensure holistic product development and successful market integration.

Company Website: https://www.vivian.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on being a "largest healthcare jobs marketplace" and its investor backing suggest a company with significant market traction and ambitious growth plans, providing a fertile ground for innovation and impact in a Product Engineering role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Product Engineer (2-5 years experience). It offers significant autonomy and ownership, akin to a senior individual contributor or a foundational member of a new product initiative. The "0→1" aspect suggests a pathway to becoming a product leader or a specialist in AI-driven product development.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into an engineering or product leadership function, working closely with Product Managers and Designers. This structure facilitates direct mentorship and exposure to product strategy.

Operations Impact: The Product Engineer will have a direct impact on improving trust and experience for millions of clinicians by developing features that address critical issues like inaccurate pay and by creating AI-powered tools. Their work will directly influence user acquisition, retention, and overall marketplace effectiveness, key metrics in GTM success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in AI/LLM Product Development: Deepen expertise in applying cutting-edge AI technologies to solve complex user problems within the healthcare recruitment domain.

• Product Leadership: Transition into Product Management roles by leveraging the end-to-end product ownership experience, including user research, strategy, and GTM collaboration.

• Technical Leadership: Grow into a senior or principal engineering role, leading technical architecture for new product initiatives and mentoring junior engineers.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Develop a strong understanding of GTM strategies, marketing, and sales operations through close collaboration, opening doors to roles in product marketing or GTM operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "0→1" and "rapid prototyping" focus provides a unique growth path for engineers who want to influence product direction and market strategy, bridging technical execution with business outcomes, a highly valuable trajectory in GTM and product operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. Vivian Health is recognized for its "Fully Remote Best Startup" and "Best Places to Work" awards, indicating a mature and supportive remote work culture.

Office Location(s): Primarily based in the United States, with flexibility for remote employees across the country. The company's time zone focus appears to be America/Chicago, suggesting a need for collaboration within that general framework.

Workspace Context:

• A highly collaborative environment where cross-functional teams work together closely, despite being remote.

• Access to modern tools and technologies, including AI/LLM frameworks, for efficient development and experimentation.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with users and internal stakeholders to gather feedback and iterate on product ideas.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time (approximately 40 hours/week). However, the nature of rapid prototyping and working in a fast-paced startup environment may necessitate flexibility to meet critical deadlines or collaborate effectively across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on being "Fully Remote" and having received multiple awards for it suggests a deliberate and well-executed remote work strategy, which is crucial for attracting and retaining talent in today's market.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess alignment with required skills, experience, and the "0→1" prototyping focus.

• Technical & Product Assessment: This may involve a coding challenge focused on full-stack development and/or a take-home assignment to build a small prototype or solve a product problem.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: Discussion about past projects, approach to problem-solving, experience with AI/LLMs, and how you handle ambiguity. This is where your portfolio will be heavily scrutinized.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Designers, or GTM representatives to evaluate collaboration style, communication skills, and understanding of user needs and business impact.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight 0→1 Projects: Clearly showcase projects where you initiated and built something new from scratch. Explain the problem, your solution, the process, and the outcome.

• Demonstrate Rapid Prototyping: Use videos, interactive demos, or clear descriptions to illustrate how quickly you can bring ideas to life. Emphasize iteration and learning.

• Showcase AI/LLM Application: Detail specific instances where you leveraged AI/LLM tools. Explain the technical challenges and how you overcame them, and the impact on the product.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your projects (e.g., user adoption, engagement improvements, efficiency gains).

• Explain Your Process: Be ready to articulate your thought process for problem-solving, design decisions, and technical implementation, especially in ambiguous situations.

Challenge Preparation:

• Technical Skills: Brush up on modern frontend (e.g., React, Vue) and backend (e.g., Node.js, Python/Django/Flask) technologies, databases (SQL/NoSQL), and API design.

• AI/LLM Concepts: Be prepared to discuss concepts related to LLMs, prompt engineering, and common AI development patterns.

• Product Thinking: Practice articulating user problems, defining MVPs, and considering trade-offs between user experience, technical feasibility, and business goals.

• GTM Awareness: Understand how product features translate into market adoption and user growth, especially in a marketplace context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio of "0→1" projects and the "intersection of product, engineering, and AI" strongly suggests that interviewers will be looking for individuals who can not only code but also think critically about product strategy and market fit, a key aspect of successful GTM product roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Frontend Development: Modern JavaScript frameworks (e.g., React, Vue.js), HTML5, CSS3.

• Backend Development: Proficiency in languages like Node.js, Python, or similar, with experience in frameworks (e.g., Express.js, Django, Flask).

• Databases: Experience with both SQL (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL (e.g., MongoDB, DynamoDB) databases.

• Cloud Platforms: Familiarity with cloud services such as AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure for deployment and scaling.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or similar for tracking user behavior and product performance.

• Data Warehousing/ETL: Experience with data pipelines and tools for data aggregation and analysis.

• Dashboarding: Ability to create or interpret dashboards for monitoring key metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly stated for this role, understanding of CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation tools can be beneficial for context within a GTM environment.

• AI/LLM Integration Tools: Experience with APIs from providers like OpenAI, Anthropic, or frameworks like LangChain, Hugging Face for building AI-powered features.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of "modern AI tools and frameworks" is critical. Candidates should be prepared to discuss specific LLM APIs, vector databases, or AI orchestration tools they have used or are familiar with, as this is a core differentiator for this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Bias for Action: A strong emphasis on moving quickly, experimenting, and shipping to learn, rather than getting bogged down in analysis paralysis.

• User-Centricity: Deep focus on understanding and solving user problems, ensuring that product development directly benefits clinicians and staffing agencies.

• Innovation & Experimentation: Encouragement to explore new ideas, leverage emerging technologies like AI, and bring novel solutions to market.

• Transparency & Trust: Commitment to building systems that create transparency and reliability within the healthcare job marketplace, directly impacting user trust.

• Collaboration: A belief that the best solutions emerge from cross-functional teamwork and open communication.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, with engineers working closely alongside product managers, designers, and GTM teams to iterate on product ideas.

• Open communication channels are encouraged, especially in a remote setting, to ensure alignment and efficient problem-solving.

• Feedback is valued and actively sought, creating a culture of continuous improvement for both products and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's awards for "Best Places to Work" and focus on remote work suggest a culture that values employee well-being, open communication, and a shared mission, which is highly conducive to successful GTM collaboration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working in a 0→1 environment means dealing with unclear requirements and evolving priorities, requiring adaptability and proactive problem-solving.

• Rapid Iteration Cycles: The need to prototype and ship quickly can be demanding, requiring efficient development practices and the ability to prioritize effectively.

• Balancing Innovation with Scalability: Ensuring that rapid prototypes can eventually scale into robust, production-ready features requires foresight and careful technical design.

• AI Integration Complexity: Effectively integrating AI/LLM tools into user-facing products can present unique technical and ethical challenges.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into AI/LLM Applications: Gain hands-on experience building and deploying sophisticated AI-powered features in a real-world product context.

• Product Strategy & GTM Exposure: Develop a strong understanding of product lifecycle management, market dynamics, and Go-to-Market strategies through close collaboration with relevant teams.

• Leadership in New Initiatives: Opportunities to lead technical development for entirely new product surfaces, potentially setting technical direction and mentoring others.

• Industry Expertise: Become an expert in the rapidly evolving healthcare recruitment technology space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of innovative product development roles and offer significant opportunities for learning and skill enhancement, particularly in the rapidly growing field of AI and product-led growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you built a product or feature from 0 to 1. What was your process, what challenges did you face, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your initiative, problem-solving, and impact.)

• "How would you approach building an AI-powered profile builder for healthcare clinicians? What data would you need, what AI tools would you consider, and how would you ensure user trust?" (Demonstrate product thinking, technical feasibility, and AI knowledge.)

• "Imagine you're tasked with detecting and preventing misleading job data on our marketplace. What steps would you take, both technically and from a product perspective?" (Showcase analytical skills, understanding of trust/safety, and cross-functional approach.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Vivian Health's mission and our position in the healthcare recruitment market?" (Research the company's impact and market leadership.)

• "How do you approach working in a fast-paced, sometimes ambiguous startup environment?" (Highlight your adaptability, proactivity, and comfort with change.)

• "How do you ensure your technical decisions align with user needs and business objectives?" (Emphasize your product mindset and collaborative approach.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each portfolio project as a story: the problem, your role/approach, the solution (especially AI integration), and the quantifiable results.

• Visuals: Use mockups, screenshots, or brief demos to bring your projects to life. For 0→1 projects, show the evolution from concept to completion.

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate how your work benefited users or the business. Use metrics and concrete examples.

• Technical Depth & Product Acumen: Be prepared to discuss the technical architecture of your projects as well as the product rationale behind them.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, be ready to defend your product decisions as much as your technical ones. The interview process will likely assess your ability to blend engineering skills with a strong product sensibility and an understanding of how to drive market impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Engineer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Tailor your Resume: Emphasize your experience with rapid prototyping, 0→1 product development, and any work involving AI/LLM tools. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases your strongest 0→1 projects, demonstrating end-to-end ownership, rapid iteration, and impact. Highlight AI/LLM applications.

• Prepare for Technical & Product Discussions: Be ready to discuss your technical stack, your approach to solving complex problems, and your product vision for the healthcare recruitment space.

• Research Vivian Health: Understand their mission, market position, and recent achievements to articulate your interest and cultural fit effectively.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.